Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 21h

News: Purdue University will buy 2 apartment buildings on the canal to use for student housing. One of them is Canal Square Apartments, the other 501 Indiana Ave.

Story @mirrorindy.org
mirrorindy.org/purdue-unive...

Purdue will purchase 2 apartment buildings near Indy campus

Purdue University will purchase Indianapolis’ Canal Square Apartments and a new development on 501 Indiana Ave. for housing post-IUPUI split.

mirrorindy.org

3 4

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 3d

Indiana redistricting!

You asked, we answered.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-redi...

Your redistricting questions, answered

Mirror Indy readers had questions about redistricting. Here are the answers.

mirrorindy.org

5 7

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 3d

As Purdue in Indy’s acceptance rate decreases, private colleges have been adding engineering programs to give Indy students more options.

✍️ @clairerafford.bsky.social talked to people at Marian University, Butler University and UIndy about how this impacts Indy students: https://bit.ly/4h86w44

New engineering programs at Indy colleges provide alternative to Purdue

UIndy, Marian and Butler have added engineering programs in the last decade.

bit.ly

2 5

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 4d

90% of Indy Achieves students finish college. The city requested $2M in the 2026 city budget to continue that work.

@mirrorindy.org @indydocumenters.bsky.social

mirrorindy.org/indy-achieve...

90% of Indy Achieves students finish college

With a proven track record at IU Indianapolis, the city-funded program requested $2 million in the 2026 city budget to expand completion grants and scholarships for local students.

mirrorindy.org

1 3

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 4d

A decade ago, IUPUI was the only engineering program in the city. Next fall, there will be 4 - including the newly renamed Purdue in Indy.

Read about how these newer programs are changing the landscape here:

mirrorindy.org/purdue-india...

New engineering programs at Indy colleges provide alternative to Purdue

UIndy, Marian and Butler have added engineering programs in the last decade.

mirrorindy.org

1

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 4d

Next week will be Chris Lowery's last as Indiana's top higher ed leader.

In an exit interview for @mirrorindy.org I chatted with him about his accomplishments, the challenges that still remain and where the state's headed:

mirrorindy.org/chris-lowery...

Q&A: Indiana’s top higher ed leader has hope for the state’s future

“We should be hopeful when we think about higher education,” said Lowery, “because of all the opportunities it brings to people.”

mirrorindy.org

3

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 11d

International student enrollment is down at IU Indy by 28% this fall, reflecting a national trend tied to stricter visa policies that began under Trump in spring.

✍️ @clairerafford.bsky.social broke down what this means for the city: https://bit.ly/4q1F3Fg

Fewer international students are in Indianapolis this fall

A national expert tied the decrease to Trump administration policies surrounding student visas.

bit.ly

2 2

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 16d

Big news from @davebangert.bsky.social - the Trump administration revoked a $35M grant that supported
low-income students, citing diversity language as the reason.

The grant helped students in six Indy middle and high schools, including Arsenal Tech.
www.basedinlafayette.com/p/us-dept-of...

U.S. Dept. of Education ends $34.9M grant to Purdue over diversity language

GEAR Up, 6th largest federal grant in Purdue history, aimed tutoring, SAT prep, other help to low-income students, including in Lafayette. Feds: It doesn’t line up with Trump administration priorities

www.basedinlafayette.com

5 8

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 16d

Big news from @davebangert.bsky.social - the Trump administration revoked a $35M grant that supported
low-income students, citing diversity language as the reason.

The grant helped students in six Indy middle and high schools, including Arsenal Tech.
www.basedinlafayette.com/p/us-dept-of...

U.S. Dept. of Education ends $34.9M grant to Purdue over diversity language

GEAR Up, 6th largest federal grant in Purdue history, aimed tutoring, SAT prep, other help to low-income students, including in Lafayette. Feds: It doesn’t line up with Trump administration priorities

www.basedinlafayette.com

5 8

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Dawn Huckelbridge @dhuckelbridge.bsky.social · 23d

I’m sorry, a young Black man was found hanging—from a tree—and authorities said they had no reason to suspect foul play?

10 27 130

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 23d

Don’t look now, it’s financial aid application season. 🫣

Get help with your college financial aid application this fall

@clairerafford.bsky.social

mirrorindy.org/fafsa-help-c...

Get help with your college financial aid application this fall

Indianapolis students and 21st Century Scholars can get financial aid and FAFSA help at the Indy Center for Leadership Development fall 2025.

mirrorindy.org

2 3

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 25d

A small-scale data center in Martindale Brightwood? A company has bought 13 acres for that purpose, @taylorwooten.bsky.social reports

(paywall)

www.ibj.com/articles/unk...

Company pursuing small-scale data center in Martindale-Brightwood - Indianapolis Business Journal

The project is proposed for a 13-acre parcel east of Brightwood Plaza that was home to the now-demolished Sherman Drive-In from 1965 to 1983.

www.ibj.com

7 4

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · 25d

@enriquesaenz.bsky.social finds the best stories about Indy history.

His latest is about Flanner House Homes, a complex built on the westside by Black veterans in the 50s.

Read more here @mirrorindy.org
mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Residents want historic designation for homes built by Black WWII veterans

The daughter of an Indianapolis WWII veteran wants protections for the historic Flanner House Homes neighborhood.

mirrorindy.org

1 3

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · 29d

After five and a half years as Martin University’s president, Sean Huddleston will step down in November.

Under his leadership, the school launched Martin Works, a workforce initiative connecting employers to students. Read more below: https://bit.ly/460AUcz

1

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · Sep 9

A year after the IUPUI split, stidents are largely taking it in stride. But there have been a few hiccups, including for one student who had to push back her graduation date.

@clairerafford.bsky.social
📸: Doug McSchooler for @mirrorindy.org

mirrorindy.org/iupui-split-...

How are things going a year after the IUPUI split? We asked students.

“There's no ‘just Purdue’ or ‘just IU Indianapolis,’” one student said.

mirrorindy.org

2 4

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Carley Lanich @carleylanich.bsky.social · Sep 8

I love this story from @clairerafford.bsky.social that asks students what they think of the IUPUI split one year in.

For some, little has changed. Others have had to reconfigure schedules and take classes in other places to graduate on time.

See what students think: mirrorindy.org/iupui-split-...

How are things going a year after the IUPUI split? We asked students.

“There's no ‘just Purdue’ or ‘just IU Indianapolis,’” one student said.

mirrorindy.org

2 1

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · Sep 4

🧵 What’s it like to work in Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration?

Mirror Indy government reporter Peter Blanchard talked to a dozen current and former employees. Many described a “culture of fear” inside the City-County Building. Some said they were yelled at often. 1/

1 4 6

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Ryan Martin @byryanmartin.bsky.social · Sep 3

Just sharing this book recommendation today for no reason at all bookshop.org/p/books/some...

Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir

A Memoir

bookshop.org

1 3 4

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Ashley C. Ford @smashfizzle.bsky.social · Sep 3

The hardest thing about the past few weeks was not being able to tell every single person I spoke to about my new position as the Women & Girls Reporter for Free Press Indiana. But now I can 😊

Lisa Renze @lisarenze.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thrilled to be welcoming @smashfizzle.bsky.social to Free Press Indiana!

localnewsforindiana.bluelena.io/index.php?ac...

Meet Indiana’s new women and girls reporter

Ashley Ford joins Free...

localnewsforindiana.bluelena.io

35 56 850

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · Sep 3

Ashley C. Ford (@smashfizzle.bsky.social‬) will join Free Press Indiana, Mirror Indy’s support organization, as its women & girls reporter.

Ashley will travel the state to meet women and girls and learn about the changes they’re creating, the barriers they’re facing.

Stay tuned.

3 18 120

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Mirror Indy @mirrorindy.org · Sep 2

Over 110,000 Hoosiers over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that causes memory loss and impairs judgement.

You can learn about the disease, risk factors and approved treatments at a workshop on the west side Sept. 5. Register below.
https://bit.ly/3VqMxn0

Learn about Alzheimer's disease at a free workshop in Indy

This form of dementia affects more than 110,000 Indiana residents.

bit.ly

3 3

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · Aug 27

Hello BlueSky! I'm trying to get better about sharing stories on here.

So here's one I just wrote that I'm really proud of. It's all about Indy's first college triathlon team ahead of the start of their second season.

Give it a read (and check out the photos!)
mirrorindy.org/university-i...

UIndy triathlon team gears up for 2nd season

UIndy has the only college triathlon team in Indianapolis.

mirrorindy.org

1 2 13

Reposted by Claire Rafford

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · Aug 12

📽️ TOMORROW at Kan-Kan Cinema 📽️

Join us for a screening of 'Before a Breath,' which follows three women trying to make pregnancy safer after experiencing stillbirth.

We'll be joined by investigative reporter Duaa Eldeib.

#Indianapolis #HoosierSky

www.goelevent.com/Kan-KanCinem...

PROPUBLICA'S 'BEFORE A BREATH' SCREENING + Q&A HOSTED BY MIRROR INDY | Kan-Kan Cinema

The stories of three women determined to make pregnancy safer after losing their children to stillbirth.

www.goelevent.com

2 4

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · Jul 23

And, getting more students into college has been a major priority for the state commission - a central tenet of the state's 2030 agenda.

But the state quietly released the new numbers sometime this week, without a news release.

3

Claire Rafford @clairerafford.bsky.social · Jul 23

For the last 3 years, the number of high school grads continuing onto higher ed has been stagnant at a generational low reached in 2020.

mirrorindy.org/indiana-coll...

Indiana’s college-going rate remains near generational low

The Commission for Higher Education said Indiana’s college-going rate has not increased in the last two years.

mirrorindy.org

1 1